Bad things happen. But sometimes, they bring out the best in us. That’s what happened when British featherweight boxer Connor Coghill was forced to hang up his gloves due to a minor brain bleed. The injury, however, didn’t end Coghill’s love for the sport.
Connor’s mishap happened in October during a fight with Hopey Price. They say every cloud has a silver lining, and this couldn’t be truer for Connor. His injury was slight and didn’t warrant surgical intervention; only a halt to his boxing journey.
Days have been dark for Coghill, with thoughts of ‘what could have been’ often creeping in. Yet, in adversity, he found resilience and support.
Like a tight-knit family, the boxing community rallied around him. The promoters, managers, fans, even his fellow fighters, all came together, putting up a fundraiser. The money, as fate would have it, was enough for him to open a boxing gym in his home city, Hull.
There’s a certain beauty in transitioning from being a player to a mentor. And Coghill, undeterred by his forced retirement, has embraced this new role with both arms. “Now, I get to guide others through the journey I once loved being on,” he reflects.
Time is a curious thing. For the 29-year-old Hull native, it brought an early retirement but also a new beginning. He dreamt of retiring at 34 and becoming a coach, life, however, had other plans. He had to fast forward his dreams – attaining his trainer’s license, securing a gym location, and getting the necessary gear.
Yet, amidst his newfound optimism and grand ambitions, Coghill does admit to feeling low at times.
Watching his old team-mates, seeing their triumphs, can be tough. “I miss sparring the most,” he concedes.
He knows he can’t surrender to these feelings though. As much as he feels like he could fight again, he is well aware of the consequences. “I can’t let everyone down. Not after all they’ve done for me,” he states firmly.
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His family is understandably on edge. Even a small forgetful moment can set alarm bells ringing. But Coghill, with his spirit and determination, is a force to be reckoned with.
End of the day, it’s not about how hard you can hit. It’s about how hard you can get hit and keep moving forward. And now, Coghill is dedicated to teaching this life lesson, using boxing as a tool, to others in his community.